Total Solar Eclipse 2024 - Looking for High School Partners

[dmitryVorobiev]

Hi all, I'm an astronomer at the University of Colorado in Boulder and a former science olympian (mission, scrambler, astro!). I am trying to organize a multi-site observing campaign for the total solar eclipse on 8 April 2024. If you're not in the loop, you can see the path of the eclipse here: https://eclipse2024.org/eclipse_cities/statemap.html

The basic idea is to observe the eclipse from about 6 sites along the path of totality using identical equipment (cross-calibrated by me at CU Boulder). I hope to have 2 sites in Mexico (where greatest eclipse and best conditions will occur) and 4 sites in the US. I am hoping to partner with science teachers who teach subjects like astronomy, earth science, physics, etc. to perform these observations and to develop a curriculum to accompany these observations. I think science olympiad coaches are good candidates for this kind of project, so I am hoping you folks maybe able to participate or can help me spread the word.

Some key points are:
- we are looking for 3-4 high schools along the path of totality to become observing sites for the 8 April 2024 total solar eclipse. We are looking for teachers in subjects such as Astronomy, Earth Science, Physics, etc. It's ideal if the school is located near the center of totality, because they will experience the longest eclipse and because this will minimize the required travel on the day of the eclipse. However, I will consider schools not in the path of totality, if you can convince me that you will be able to setup the equipment in the path of totality and get yourself and your students there on Monday 8 April 2024.

- each site will receive a computer-controlled observing suite, consisting of a telescope mount, 2 telescopes, 2 scientific grade cameras, filter wheels, a laptop computer and misc. accessories
- after the observations are made, the schools can keep the equipment to use as they wish

- each teacher will work with scientists at my institution to develop curriculum that is related to the eclipse and the observations

- in the summer of 2023 the entire team (not the students) will meet in Boulder, CO to discuss the project and learn to use the equipment (the project will cover travel expenses)

- In the summer of 2023, we will offer a small stipend to the teachers who will participate (~$2000)

- Funding will be available to send about 10 people (8 students + 1 teacher + 1 chaperone) to the 2024 summer meeting of the American Astronomical Society to present their work and meet the other participants (if they wish).

This project is NOT YET FUNDED. I want to first assemble a team of teachers who are willing to work with us and then submit the proposal. It may not be funded, but I'm very optimistic about our chances.
We hope to finalize the team by the end of October 2021.

I'm attaching here a link to a flyer, which has a description of the project and my contact information: https://www.dropbox.com/s/dddunsx1kr7lr ... r.png?dl=0

Please help me spread the word about this.

I'm happy to answer any questions here or over email.

Thanks,
Dmitry